MOTORCYCLES:

Local talent Daniel Wicks has been enjoying a stellar run of form lately, with dominating performances in the 2022 American Motorcycle Association Flat Track Championships and the inaugural Aussie Flat Track Nationals.

Wicks travelled to America in June for six weeks with fellow Australian riders including 65cc rider Jed Fyffe, 85cc rider Sam Drane and two 250cc riders Riley Nauta and Bodie Paige and competed in the five round series for a week in July, putting together exceptional results.

Wicks won all five rounds in the 25 and over class and in the 450 production class, placed first, third, seventh, ninth and second, which saw him finish fourth overall and first in the 25 and over championships.

Wicks reached a blistering top speed of 187km an hour on the great DuQuoin Mile, with the track average speed of 149kmh.

Wicks said he competed in four different disciplines across the week, including short track, TT, mile and half-mile events.

“The Americans run a different setup to Australian Dirt track, 19 inch wheels front and rear on a motocross bike lowered 100mm. It takes a bit to get used too. It was a great privilege to go to America and compete, and showcase that we can mix it with the best,” he said.

“You have to sacrifice a few things to reach goals like that and it is hard work and a huge effort but so worth it.

“I borrowed a bike from Jeffrey Carver who is a pro twin’s American flat track rider which was a privilege, and great for advice.

“We first went to Lima, Ohio, for an AMA Pro round where Tom Drane made his debut in American Flat track. I helped in the pits and he managed to come second in the main event and took out the dash for cash. This was a great achievement.

“We then headed to Du Quoin, Illinois, for the AMA Flat Track Championships.

“America is a huge country and everything they do they do on a large scale, so it was a fantastic experience.”

Wicks recently competed in the inaugural Aussie Flat Track Nationals held in Appin and had a weekend to remember.

The two-round competitions saw some of the best in the business battle it out, with Wicks placing second overall.

“This is the first time Australia has run a 19-inch series and I really hope everyone gets behind it and it takes off,” he said.

Wicks finished fourth in the first round of the Pro 450s with a total score of 216 and second in round two on 248, giving him a combined score of 464 to place second in the overall standings behind Michael Kirkness on 525.

WICKS WINS POSTIE BIKE GP

Daniel Wicks’ fine form has continued, taking out the 2022 Australian Postie Bike GP with Boyd Hollis.

Wicks and Hollis went one better than their second placing in 2019, celebrating a victory.

Wicks had registered the fastest lap during qualifying and the partnership won their qualifying heat race, before Nowlan and Pickering put on a blistering turn of speed for the Grand Prix.
Wicks and Hollis were not

favourites to take out the title, with reigning champions Brody Nowlan and Josh Pickering dominating their qualifying heat race, but after Pickering hit a barrier in the grand prix, Wicks and Hollis seized their opportunity.

After the spill, Wicks and Hollis had built up an an impassable lead and secured the win, one lap ahead of second place.

Wicks said he rode a 2012 model CT110 with a horse power limit of 6.3.

“It is the only street circuit of its kind in Australia,” he said.

“The main event is one and a half hours and we swap riders every 10 laps.

“They dyno test the motors the day before, then lock the bikes away until racing the next day.

“On the day it’s a big team effort with lap counting and ensuring the bike is on point, thanks Jack Griffin, Mark Perriman Robbie Blackadder and Steve Wicks.”

“It was a fantastic weekend, great to have my family watching and to get the win with Boyd.”

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